Patrick Cooper clinched the ‘A’ Series title on day three of the Bermuda International Race Week regatta in fabulous racing conditions in the Great Sound today.

The Bermudian helmsman sealed victory recording a fourth win in the final race of the five-race series competing alongside crew Martin Siese, Bill McNiven, Melinda Bessey and Andrew Butterworth.

“Everything has gone as well as hoped,” Cooper told The Royal Gazette. “The team has been working really well together.

“Everybody has been doing a fantastic job and it’s really paid off.

“We are getting around the track fast; hitting the right shifts and the results have been coming.

“It’s been really good and it’s a lot of fun. We love this regatta.”

Courtney Jenkins, of the United States, topped the international fleet and finished second overall five-points adrift of Cooper in the ‘A’ Series.

“For the first series everything was pretty good and we are all right,” the Gibson Island Yacht Squadron helmsman said.

“We had a couple of bad sets which we are working on to make sure the spinnaker goes up cleanly.

“I am really enjoying the regatta right now; it’s wonderful sailing. The breeze is just so perfect you can’t ask for better conditions; flat water and 15 knots of breeze.”

Jenkins’ compatriot, Rick Echard, rounded off the podium finishers in the ‘A’ Series a further two-points off the lead pace.

“Everybody is just having a wonderful time and I think that is helping us do well,” the North East Harbor helmsman said.

Having secured the ‘A’ Series title, Cooper and fellow crew then made the perfect start after winning the opening race of the ‘B’ Series.

Fellow Bermudian helmsman Hubert Watlington took second and Rachael Morrison, of the United States, third.

Cooper leads the overall series by a ten-point margin over second placed Echard, with Jenkins another point back in third with four races remaining.

The international regatta is being held in for the first time in two-years due to the global coronavirus pandemic, with the IOD’s the only class represented.

Norway and Sweden are the remaining countries participating in the regatta showcasing the classic 33-foot racing sloop, which dates back to 1936.